Former Brisbane schoolboy Jordan Meafou is one of three Australian-raised players in the French team taking on the Wallabies this weekend. But what could have been for Meafou?

Meafou has spoken about his 'what ifs' regarding leaving behind a lucrative opportunity to become the next Jordan Mailata in the NFL. In 2018, when Meafou was invited to an NFL International Player Combine on the Gold Coast, scouts were impressed by his dimensions

  • 203cm and 145kg. This was after Meafou impressed in Brisbane and Sydney club rugby, as well as the NRC, but struggled to get a professional rugby contract in Australia due to his size.

A year after Mailata - who was too big for the Rabbitohs at the time - took the same path, Meafou's agent floated his CV to some French rugby clubs. Three powerhouse clubs bit, including Toulouse, and Meafou changed his travel plans. While Meafou is well-paid at Toulouse, likely on over a million a season, that's pocket change for Mailata. The left tackle's rookie contract was good money and his two extensions at the Philadelphia Eagles since have had incredible figures attached: in 2021 he got a four-year deal worth $A96m and in 2025, the Super Bowl-winning left tackle signed a three-year deal worth $A104m.

Meafou has no regrets about leaving the NFL path behind. 'I'm incredibly happy with my decision,' Meafou says. 'I live a great life, I earn good money, and while maybe in another world or another dimension I could have been an NFL superstar, I'm happy with my choice.'

Meafou now spends his time in France, where he plays for the Toulouse club alongside other Australians Moses Alo-Emile and Tom Staniforth. 'I'm in a great space playing for an amazing country that gave me a chance to live my dream. No regrets, no looking back,' Meafou adds.

Despite having a busy schedule, Meafou manages to come back to visit family in Brisbane whenever possible. His kids are still young and make it harder for him to travel. 'We definitely call France home now. Being over in Toulouse is such a privilege,' Meafou says. 'It's an interesting, different feeling coming back with the French team. You're back in a familiar place, but you're still working and you're still speaking French. It's really cool.'

Meafou will be one of the key players for the French team when they take on the Wallabies this weekend. Despite the excitement, Meafou's focus remains on the game at hand.